Microfluidic laser embedded in glass by three-dimensional femtosecond laser microprocessing

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Microfluidics
• Laser Technology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Microfluidic devices offer precise fluid control at the microscale.
• Dye lasers provide tunable wavelength output.
• Integrating optical components within microfluidic systems presents fabrication challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate three-dimensionally embedded microfluidic dye lasers in glass.
• To demonstrate lasing action in these novel microfluidic laser devices.
• To develop a microfluidic twin laser capable of simultaneous dual emissions.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of 3D microfluidic dye lasers using femtosecond laser integration of micro-optical and microfluidic components.
• Integration of microfluidic chambers within a glass substrate.
• Pumping the microfluidic laser with Rhodamine 6G dye in ethanol using a frequency-doubled Nd:yttrium aluminum garnet laser.
• Analysis of emission spectra at varying pump powers to confirm lasing.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of the first 3D microfluidic dye lasers embedded in glass.
• Confirmation of lasing action through spectral analysis.
• Demonstration of a microfluidic twin laser producing two simultaneous laser emissions from a single pump laser by serial arrangement of microfluidic chambers.

Conclusions:

• Femtosecond laser integration is a viable method for fabricating complex 3D microfluidic optical devices.
• Embedded microfluidic dye lasers represent a novel platform for integrated photonics.
• The microfluidic twin laser design opens possibilities for compact, multi-wavelength laser sources.